#specialtycoffee

The “third wave” concept is well-enough entrenched that imitation plainly exists, and we expect this to continue as further consolidation and investment shape coffee’s retail landscape. But each of the shops in this list, we hope, reflects a vision beyond mere imitation. We looked for strong differentiating factors above commonly seen markers such as clean interior lines; bright brand colors against neutral interior palettes; signature espresso-based drinks; the latest, shiniest brewing equipment; a multiroaster program drawing from the same large handful of companies in San Francisco and Portland; etc. There is of course no formula for a successful shop, nor for innovation, and some of the shops profiled below will not survive 2016. Yet each has in some way planted a unique flag in the ground.